The series finale of Stranger Things included shocking character deaths, surprising reveals, a time jump and an engagement - but did the show end on a satisfying note? Netflix's hit series wrapped up on Wednesday, December 31, with Joyce (Winona Ryder), Hopper (David Harbour), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Dusin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), Will (Noah Schnapp), Max (Sadie Sink), Steve (Joe Keery), Robin (Maya Hawke) and Erica (Priah Ferguson) coming together to take down Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). The show ultimately concluded with the heroes winning over Vecna. However, there were a few casualties and a time jump that offered an update on where everyone ended up 18 months after the big battle in Hawkins. In the final shot, the main friend group played one last battle of Dungeons and Dragons before leaving for their next adventure as college students. Their seats weren't left empty for long because Holly (Nell Fisher) and her friends - including Delightful Derek - were the next ones to take over playing the game. Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, Stranger Things focused on a fictional town where a series of supernatural events take place, causing mystery, death and mayhem. Season 5, which was divided into three parts, previously received a lackluster reaction as fans questioned several scenes, including potential character breakups, rumors of deleted scenes and more. Which 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Story Lines Had to Be Clarified Off Screen? Randy Havens, who played beloved Mr. Clarke, took to Instagram earlier this month to address the viral posts from viewers claiming that show insiders anonymously shared that crucial moments didn't air. "There's no secret Snyder cut of the show," he wrote, referring to director Zack Snyder's original version of 2017's Justice League, with the longer version of the film being released on HBO Max in 2021 after overwhelming backlash from fans. "People don't believe everything some random ass tells you on the internet." Keep scrolling for a breakdown of where every character's story ended: Joyce Byers Netflix After helping the kids win the war against Vecna, Joyce got to be the one to deliver the fatal blow in honor of her ex Bob (Sean Astin). The time jump showed Joyce sending Will off to college before planning a future with Hopper, which included accepting his proposal. Jim Hopper Netflix The fight for humanity led to several close calls for Hopper. He even got to see Vecna when his mind was briefly taken over by the big bad. But Hopper ultimately survived and remained the chief of police in Hawkins. The scenes from 1989, however, hinted that he could be accepting a new position in Montauk. As some fans may remember, Stranger Things was originally meant to be called Montauk since it is based on the real-life conspiracy theory of the Montauk Project. Mike Wheeler NETFLIX In addition to helping his friends defeat Vecna, Mike faced a personal loss. As everyone returned to Hawkins from the Upside Down, the military ambushed them and Mike watched Eleven refuse to return. They shared one final moment in her mind as she explained her decision to vanish so the others could live normal lives instead of always having to hide her The time jump introduced a new theory about what actually happened to Eleven ... but more on that later. For Mike, the future hinted at him becoming a writer as he captured all his friends' adventures down on paper. He also finished off the group's last game of D&D before watching the next generation ushered in his basement. Eleven Netflix The finale was tough for Eleven, who considered letting herself die to keep the others safe. Hopper convinced her not to stop fighting for a future but ultimately Eleven survived while Kali was shot. While Eleven was able to face - and kill - Vecna once and for all, she didn't return to Hawkins and seemed to allow herself to remain in the Upside Down instead. She was thought to be dead but Mike suggested another theory. He pointed out that Eleven's powers were suppressed by the military so the visual of her being killed could have been a vision created by Kali in her final moments. Instead, Mike remained hopeful that Eleven was able to live her life somewhere far away from Hawkins, which the audience saw briefly although it remained up to the viewer whether they chose that ending to the story. Dustin Henderson Netflix The time jump showed Dustin as the valedictorian of his class. In his speech, Dustin found a way to honor Eddie (Joseph Quinn) and even caught the eye of some girls from their school. Mike's prediction for Dustin showed him thriving in college but still finding time for weekend adventures with Steve. Lucas Sinclair NETFLIX Mike's vision for Lucas showed him and Max continuing to date and thrive outside of Hawkins. Nancy Wheeler Netflix After helping defeat Vecna, Nancy moved out of Hawkins to attend Emerson. She revealed t